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A Message of Hope

Nearly one-third of young Americans struggle with their mental health. Alejandra Wells, 16, is one of them. Here’s how she’s making a difference—one piece of jewelry at a time.

February 2025

by Alejandra Wells, as told to Alex Lim-Chua Wee

Ariel Panowicz Creative

I was in fourth grade when I had my first panic attack. At the time, I didn’t know what was happening. We had an important test at school that day, but I couldn’t focus on taking it.

I remember sitting in a chair. It was like my body wasn’t really there. My hand started to shake. Before I knew it, my whole body was shaking too. I started crying and couldn’t stop. It became hard for me to breathe.

When my mom came to pick me up, we went straight to the doctor. She told me I probably had test anxiety. My mom asked my teachers if I could have some extra time on exams.

That helped—at least for a little while. But it turned out that was just the beginning. The road ahead would challenge my mental health in ways I never expected.

When I was in fourth grade, I had a panic attack. It was my first one. We had a big test at school. I couldn’t focus on it.

It felt like my body wasn’t really there. My hand started to shake. Soon my whole body was shaking. I started crying and couldn’t stop. It was hard to breathe.

My mom took me to the doctor. The doctor said I probably had test anxiety. My mom asked my teachers to give me extra time on exams.

That helped. But it turned out that was just the beginning. There were more mental health challenges to come.

I was in fourth grade when I had my first panic attack. At the time, I didn’t understand what was happening. We had an important test at school that day, and I couldn’t concentrate while taking it.

I remember sitting in a chair, feeling like my body wasn’t really there. My hand started to shake—and before I knew it, my entire body was shaking too. I started crying and couldn’t stop. It became difficult for me to breathe.

My mother picked me up and took me directly to the doctor, who said I probably had test anxiety. After that, my mother asked my teachers if I could have some extra time on exams.

That helped temporarily—but as it turned out, that was only the beginning. The road ahead would challenge my mental health in ways I never expected.

Tangled in Knots

Ariel Panowicz Creative

A couple of years later, some kids at school started bullying me. They made fun of the way I looked. They didn’t believe I had test anxiety and called me whiny. It made me feel terrible.

That’s when I started having bad stomach pains. It felt like my insides were tangled in knots. Focusing on anything became impossible. Most of the time, I felt sad and alone.

Then one day at school, the stomach pain became excruciating. I was terrified. I called my mom, and she rushed me to the emergency room. The doctors there diagnosed me with anxiety disorder and depression.

A few years later, some kids at school started bullying me. They made fun of the way I looked. They didn’t believe I had test anxiety. They called me whiny. It made me feel awful.

I started having bad stomach pains. It felt like my insides were tangled in knots. I couldn’t focus on anything. Most of the time, I felt sad and alone.

One day at school, the stomach pain became excruciating. It scared me. I called my mom. She took me to the emergency room. The doctors there said I had anxiety disorder and depression.

A couple of years later, some kids at school started bullying me. They made fun of my appearance. They didn’t believe I had test anxiety and called me whiny. The way they treated me made me feel terrible.

That’s when I started having intense stomach pains. It felt like my insides were tangled in knots, and it made focusing on anything impossible. Most of the time, I felt sad and alone.

Then one day at school, the stomach pain became excruciating. Terrified, I called my mother, and she rushed me to the emergency room. The doctors there diagnosed me with anxiety disorder and depression.

Getting Help

By 2022, I was in a really dark place. My mental health had become too hard to deal with on my own. I knew I needed help.

My family and I decided I would stay in a mental health hospital for a week. I was surprised by how many other kids my age were there.

During visiting hours, my family came. My grandpa doesn’t express his feelings much. But on this visit, I saw him cry for the first time ever.

That really hurt. I knew I had to find a way to deal with my anxiety and depression. I couldn’t end up in that dark place again.

By 2022, I was in a really dark place. I couldn’t manage my mental health on my own. I needed help.

I talked with my family. We decided I would spend a week at a mental health hospital. I was surprised by how many other kids my age were there.

My family came to visit. My grandfather doesn’t show his feelings much. But on this visit, he cried.

That hurt. I knew I had to find a way to deal with my anxiety and depression. I couldn’t end up in that dark place again.

By 2022, I was in a really dark place. My mental health had become too difficult for me to manage on my own. I knew I needed help.

My family and I decided I would stay in a mental health hospital for a week. I was surprised by how many other kids my age were there.

During visiting hours, my family came. My grandfather doesn’t express his feelings much—but on this visit, I saw him cry for the first time ever.

That really affected me. I knew I had to find a way to deal with my anxiety and depression so I wouldn’t end up in that dark place again.

Do you feel anxious or depressed?
Don’t wait. Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. A counselor will help you—
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Hello, Hiya!

When I got back home, I started making bracelets to cope with my feelings. It was such a simple thing, yet it helped calm my mind.

I wore dozens of these bracelets to school. Kids would ask if they could have one. I always said yes. Eventually, I began making bracelets just to hand out to others. If I saw a kid sitting alone or looking sad, I’d offer them one.

I knew I wanted to be able to reach more people. So in 2023, I started my small business, Hiya. My mom helped me create a website. Soon I was able to sell my jewelry. Every item I offer is created to spread a message of kindness and hope.

Making the bracelets has become a way to help me manage my own struggles. But it’s also a way to help others manage theirs. Giving someone a bracelet might cheer them up. But more importantly, it says, “I’m here for you if you need a friend.”

When I got home, I started making bracelets to cope with my feelings. It helped calm my mind.

I wore dozens of these bracelets to school. Kids would ask if they could have one. I always said yes. After a while, I began making bracelets just to give to others. If I saw a kid sitting alone or looking sad, I’d offer them one.

I wanted to reach more people. So in 2023, I started a small business. I called it Hiya. My mom helped me create a website. Soon I was able to sell my jewelry. Every item I sell is made to spread a message of kindness and hope.

Making the bracelets helps me with my own struggles. It’s also a way to help others. Giving someone a bracelet might cheer them up. But it also says, “I’m here for you if you need a friend.”

When I got back home, I started making bracelets to cope with my emotions. The simple process soothed me and helped calm my mind.

I wore dozens of these bracelets to school. Kids would ask if they could have one, and I always said yes. Eventually, I began making bracelets just to hand out to others. If I saw a kid sitting alone or looking sad, I’d offer them one.

I knew I wanted to be able to reach more people, so in 2023, I started my small business, Hiya. My mother helped me create a website, and I was soon able to sell my jewelry. Every item I offer is created to spread a message of kindness and hope.

Making the bracelets helps me manage my own struggles, but it’s also a way to help others manage theirs. Giving someone a bracelet might improve their mood, but more importantly, it says, “I’m here for you if you need a friend.”

You’re Not Alone

Ariel Panowicz Creative

Family Time
Alejandra smiles with her mom and sister.

Over the past few years, I’ve learned that I’m not alone. My words matter, and I matter. I’ve gotten more comfortable talking about my emotions. I know people are here for me and I am loved.

Hiya has also given me a way to reach other teens. I’ve been able to go to events and talk about Hiya’s mission. My goal is to normalize talking about mental health.

If you’re struggling, find someone you can talk to. It can be a counselor, a friend, or a family member. Holding in hard feelings doesn’t feel great. By speaking up, you can hopefully get the help you need. Most importantly, you’ll see you’re not alone.

In the past few years, I’ve learned that I’m not alone. My words matter, and I matter. Talking about my feelings has gotten easier. I know people are here for me. I know I’m loved.

Hiya has also given me a way to reach other teens. I go to events and talk about Hiya’s mission. I want to normalize talking about mental health.

If you’re struggling, talk to someone. It can be a counselor, a friend, or a family member. Holding in hard feelings doesn’t help. By speaking up, you can get help. And you’ll see that you’re not alone. •

Over the past few years, I’ve learned that I’m not alone. My words matter, and I matter. I’ve gotten more comfortable talking about my emotions. I know people are here for me and I am loved.

Hiya has also given me a way to reach other teenagers. I’ve been able to go to events and talk about Hiya’s mission. My goal is to normalize talking about mental health.

If you’re struggling, find someone you can talk to: a counselor, a friend, or a family member. Holding in difficult emotions doesn’t feel great. By opening up, you can hopefully get the help you need—and above all, you’ll see that you’re not alone. •

ACTIVITY:
Problem and Solution

You’ve just read “A Message of Hope.” Now it’s time to do this activity.

What to do: Use the chart below to help you understand how Bianca has handled problems in her life. Write on a separate sheet of paper the missing problem and solutions.